Crispy Air Fryer Cauliflower Recipe - Nourish Plate (2024)

This crispy Air Fryer cauliflower side dish is not only simple but incredibly flavorful! You can prepare this healthy cauliflower side dish in your Air Fryer in as little as 15 minutes from start to finish. It’s a perfect accompaniment to any meal, providing a nutritious and tasty option that’s sure to be a hit at your dining table.

I get days when I just want to Air Fry EVERYTHING! Air frying is just so easy, and healthy as you don’t need much oil, and I always get great results. I’ve been making these Air Fryer chicken wings non-stop for the past few weeks, and the Air fryer French fries never disappoint!

Making simple sides in the Air Fryer is a breeze, this Air Fryer broccoli side is brilliant, Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts is another delicious side dish. And I’ve been also loving this crispy Air Fryer cauliflower because it’s so simple, much better than deep-fried cauliflower, and turns out so crispy!

So let me show you how to make the best ever crispy cauliflower side dish, and it is much quicker than roasting in the oven.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Cauliflower

Here’s what you’ll need to make crispy cauliflower in the Air Fryer:

• Cauliflower: choose a firm fresh head of cauliflower that feels heavy, remove the leaves and stem, and separate or cut into florets.
• Olive oil: I use high-quality olive oil that has a high smoke point. No need to use extra virgin olive oil when roasting cauliflower
• Salt and pepper: To season the cauliflower.
• Optional seasonings: You can literally air fry the cauliflower with just oil, salt, and pepper. I like to add seasonings for extra flavor such as smoked paprika, turmeric (for color but be careful as it can stain your hands), garlic powder, etc. You can even do seasoning blends such as fajita seasoning or taco seasoning if you like (they’re delicious!).

How to Air Fry Cauliflower

• Preheat the Air Fryer to 390°F (200°C).
• In a mixing bowl, toss the cauliflower florets with the olive oil and seasonings until they’re well coated.
• Transfer the cauliflower florets to the Air Fryer basket, and air fry for 15 minutes shaking the basket every 3 minutes or until the cauliflower is crispy (keep an eye on the cauliflower as it can get burnt easily, and it might take longer or less time depending on the freshness and the density of the cauliflower florets).
• Serve cold or warm with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Toppings Ideas

Although this side dish is delicious when it’s served on its own, especially if it’s well seasoned. You can also top the cauliflower with something simple like a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or toasted nuts, or tahini lemon drizzle.

You can also toss the cauliflower with fresh lettuce leaves, and a simple dressing to make a quick salad.

Recipe Tips

• I have the Cosori Air Fryer that I love and always recommend. It has a large air fryer basket and can fit a lot, I also love the fact that the basket is square as it can fit much more.
• It’s ok to crowd the air fryer a little bit as the florets will shrink and crisp up as they’re being roasted, but do not overcrowd it too much as the cauliflower will start steaming rather than crisp up.
• Keep an eye on the cauliflower florets as they’re being roasted, they can burn easily and the cooking time depends on how small or big you cut the florets.

Recipe FAQs

This air fryer cauliflower recipe gets you a crispy side dish in just 15 minutes, and it’s a healthier option since you’re using minimal oil. Give it a try, and if you like it, please rate, review, and pin it for later.